Coppersmith Barbet

With its favorite food

Coppersmith Barbets look more like colorful variants of house sparrows, whom they resemble in terms of size. Strikingly green with red-and-yellow face, it can be somewhat hard to see in the backdrop of bright green leaves, which is its favorite haunt. But definitely much more attractive!!

Most likely places to see these are Banyan and Peepul trees, whose fruits these birds enjoy a lot. They make a lot of noise when they get together, so take a second look if you hear anything. Apart from fruits, Salim Ali mentions that these birds also eat termites occasionally, but I have only seen these on fruit-bearing trees.

Close cousins of White-cheeked Barbets, these tend to be smaller, about the same size as sparrows, but stockier and generally looking stronger, with a marked difference in bills.

Scientific name for this bird is Megalaima haemacephala. 

Pheasant-tailed Jacana

Shot at Gudavi

Close relatives of Bronze-winged Jacanas, Pheasant-tailed Jacanas look spectacular to the first look, with their long tail flashing in the sunlight. Of course, these long tails give the bird its name. Especially in the breeding season, it is easier to identify. Like the other Jacanas, we can find these on the shallow waters and wading on the water vegetation on the surface of the water. I was able to catch sight of these at Gudavi bird sanctuary, where I also saw the Ibises up close.

Salim Ali mentions that these birds have very similar food habits as bronze-winged Jacanas.

Scientific name for these birds is Hydrophasianus chirurgus.